unity gain active tube preamp?


Short version: I am looking for a unity gain active tube preamp. The only one I have found on-line is the Audion line (Premier 2.0 is more or less in my price range). Not really familiar with them. I was wondering whether there were other preamps like this worth considering???

Longer: I have a Lampi Atlantic Plus Balanced DSD only dac, a Cary SLP-05 pre, a Modwright KWA-150se power amp, all driving Aerial Model 9 speakers. This combination has too much gain (Lampi has 3v output voltage, Cary maxes at 2v). I am using Endler attenuators to control the gain (before pre works better than before power), but they impair dynamics.

Some on the Lampi Circle recommend a passive, but I prefer a richer tone. The Tortuga pre sounds like it might work, but it is an impedance mismatch for my system and I would need to use their tube buffer as well. That buffer would require me to use another set of ics and possibly another PS (more damn boxes) and i don't really want to go that route. Also, their buffer is brand new and lacks the clear positive feedback of their passives.

So, I had been told that there were zero gain active tube press that might work for me. However, when i did a search I could only find the one. Please let me know if there are other options.

Thanks much.
shredder

Showing 2 responses by georgehifi

A used Musical Fidelity X-10v3 tube output buffer.

shredder

"If you want that tube warmth"
Yes this is good but you need to also get a passive VC (volume control) before it. More $$$

Musical Fidelity have the same circuit in their Xcan-V3, but with normal size tubes, not the mini 6112 that are in the X10-V3.

But you get with the Xcan-V3, a passive volume control built in, and a headphone jack as well.
So this Xcan-V3 has all you need, but both units do have just a touch of gain (1 or 2db) above unity.

Cheers George